Peace and Security

Civil Affairs Handbook (DPKO/DFS)http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/documents/civilhandbook/Civil_Affairs_Handbook.pdfThis Handbook has been developed jointly by the Policy and Best Practices Service of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Field Support and the Training for Peace Programme at the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), with support from the Governments of Australia and Norway. It is intended as practical guidance for Civil Affairs Officers on the ground, as well as an orientation for people preparing for civil affairs work. This is the first edition, which collects together existing experience and understanding about Civil Affairs work. It is intended as a platform on which to build further guidance and will be regularly updated based on input from all sources.

IAEA International Peer Review Mission on Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards Decommissioning of TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Units 1-4http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/fukushima/missionreport230513.pdfThe Roadmap, which is scheduled for an additional update in June 2013, describes the main steps and activities to be implemented for the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS through the combined efforts of the Government of Japan and TEPCO.

Natural Resource Management and Peacebuilding in Afghanistan (UNEP / UN Country Team in Afghanistan)Report:http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/UNEP_Afghanistan_NRM_report.pdfGuidance chart visually illustrating Afghanistan’s natural resources:http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/UNEP_Afghanistan_NRM_guidance_chart.pdfSustainable and equitable management of Afghanistan’s natural resources such as land, water, forests and minerals can contribute to peacebuilding in the country, according to a United Nations report released on 24 June 2013. The report describes how the UN and the international community can assist the Afghan Government to improve the management of natural resources in a way that contributes to peace and development on a national scale. The study, which was funded by the European Union (EU), also aims to encourage international organizations to introduce mechanisms into their projects to ensure that they do not inadvertently exacerbate conflict over natural resources.

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/23/58, Advance Unedited Version)http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoISyria/A-HRC-23-58_en.pdfThe Commission found that war crimes and gross human rights violations continue to be perpetrated on an ever larger scale as the violence escalates. Crimes against humanity are being perpetrated by government forces and affiliated militias as they carry out widespread attacks against civilian populations through indiscriminate shelling, unlawful killing, torture, enforced disappearance, and sexual violence. They are systematically inflicting sieges against towns perceived as hostile, while populations have been forcibly displaced. Anti-government armed groups have also besieged towns, especially in Aleppo governorate. They are committing war crimes on an increasing scale, including extra-judicial executions, torture, hostage-taking, and pillage. The violations and abuses committed by anti-Government armed groups did not reach the intensity and scale of those committed by Government forces and affiliated militias. The commission found reasonable grounds to believe chemicals have been used as weapons, but did not identify the chemical agent, or the perpetrator. The commission remains convinced that a political settlement is the only means of stopping the violence. This report covers the period from 15 January to 15 May 2013. The findings are based on 430 interviews and other evidence, collected during this four-month period. (OHCHR Media Centre, 4 June 2013)

Security Council Concept Note: “Women and peace and security: sexual violence in conflict”English, French & Spanish:http://undocs.org/S/2013/335The Security Council held an open debate on the topic “Women and peace and security: sexual violence in conflict” on 24 June 2013. The Security Council President for the month of June, the United Kingdom, had prepared a concept note in order to help steer the discussions on the subject.

UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)http://www.unsom.unmissions.orgActing on the recommendations of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council decided on 2 May 2013 to establish the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) by 3 June for an initial period of 12 months, providing the United Nations “good offices” functions — and a range of strategic policy advice — in support of the Federal Government’s peace and reconciliation process.

Economic & Social Development

DESA Website & e-Brochure http://www.un.org/desaThe Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has launched a new DESA Website and e-Brochure that extends the current design with interactive multimedia features and accessibility from mobile devices. The new site comes with an improved navigation structure and better incorporates latest developments on the Internet. Users have access to latest news, publications and events of the Department, and can interact with DESA through video messages and social media. In addition, the e-Brochure provides an easy introduction and a human face to the Department, featuring interviews of staff members and brief presentations of who they are and what they do. For the best multimedia experience of the new site, please use Internet Explorer 9 or higher or the latest version of Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari.

GEO-5 for Business: Impacts of a Changing Environment on the Corporate Sector (UNEP)http://hqweb.unep.org/geo/pdfs/geo5/GEO5_for_Business.pdfThe future of the private sector will increasingly hinge on the ability of businesses to adapt to the world's rapidly changing environment and to develop goods and services that can reduce the impacts of climate change, water scarcity, emissions of harmful chemicals, and other environmental concerns. From extreme weather events, to rising pressures on finite natural resources, changes in the global environment will increasingly impact operating costs, markets for products, the availability of raw materials, and the reputation of businesses, from finance and tourism, to healthcare and transport. While the risks are significant, such environmental changes also represent major opportunities for businesses that successfully manage them, and seize the demand for sustainable technologies, investments and services. These are among the main findings of a new report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), SustainAbility and Green Light Group on 21 June 2013.

Reducing Food Loss and Waste (UNEP / WRI -World Resources Institute)http://www.unep.org/pdf/WRI-UNEP_Reducing_Food_Loss_and_Waste.pdfOne out of every four calories produced by the global agricultural system is being lost or wasted, according to new analysis. This poses a serious challenge to the planet's ability to reduce hunger and meet the food needs of a rapidly-expanding global population. Released on World Environment Day (WED), which this year carries the theme 'Think.Eat.Save - Reduce Your Foodprint', the new working paper shows that more than half of the food lost and wasted in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia occurs close to the fork-at the consumption stage. By contrast, in developing countries, about two-thirds of the food lost and wasted occurs close to the farm-after harvest and storage.

The State of Food and Agriculture 2013: Food Systems for Better Nutrition (FAO)Report in English, Summary in English, French & Spanish:http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3300e/i3300e00.htmThe new report notes that although some 870 million people were still hungry in the world in 2010-2012, this is just a fraction of the billions of people whose health, wellbeing and lives are blighted by malnutrition. Two billion people suffer from one or more micronutrient deficiencies, while 1.4 billion are overweight, of whom 500 million are obese, according to SOFA. Twenty six percent of all children under five are stunted and 31 percent suffer from Vitamin A deficiency.

The State of the World's Children 2013: Children with Disabilities (UNICEF)English, French & Spanish:http://www.unicef.org/sowc2013/report.htmlThe 2013 edition of “The State of the World’s Children” is dedicated to the situation of children with disabilities. The report examines the barriers – from inaccessible buildings to dismissive attitudes, from invisibility in official statistics to vicious discrimination – that deprive children with disabilities of their rights and keep them from participating fully in society. It also lays out some of the key elements of inclusive societies that respect and protect the rights of children with disabilities, adequately support them and their families, and nurture their abilities – so that they may take advantage of opportunities to flourish and make their contribution to the world.

Sustainable development starts and ends with safe, healthy and well-educated children (UNICEF position paper)http://www.unicef.org/post2015/files/Sustainable_Development_post_2015.pdfThe report outlines three messages that are key for achieving a world fit for children: 1- the progress of children can be a major driver of sustainable development; 2 -children are stakeholders in a sustainable world; 3- children can and should be major participants in and contributors to a healthy, sustainable planet.

World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 - Update as of mid-2013 (DESA)http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/policy/wesp/wesp2013/wesp13update.pdfGlobal economic growth will continue to be “below potential” this year and job creation will be vital to spur recovery. Since late 2012, new policy initiatives in major developed economies have reduced systemic risks and helped stabilize consumer, business and investor confidence, but with very limited improvement in economic growth.

World of Work Report 2013: Repairing the economic and social fabric (ILO)Report and Summary:http://www.ilo.org/global/research/global-reports/world-of-work/lang--en/index.htmThe study analyses the global employment situation five years after the start of the global financial crisis. It looks at labour market performance and projections both at the global and regional levels.Also available are the following Country & Region briefs: Africa, Canada, European Union, Germany, India, Italy, Latin America, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

World Population and Prospects, the 2012 Revision (DESA Population Division)http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Documentation/publications.htmThe new revision is the twenty-third round of global demographic estimates and projections. World population projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050 with most growth in developing regions, especially Africa. India expected to become world’s largest country, passing China around 2028, while Nigeria could surpass the United States by 2050.

Human Rights

Global and regional estimates of violence against women: Prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence (WHO)Report & Infographics in English:http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241564625/en/index.htmlSummary in French:http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241564625/fr/index.htmlSummary in Spanish: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241564625/es/index.htmlPhysical or sexual violence is a public health problem that affects more than one third of all women globally, according to a new report released on 20 June 2013 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the South African Medical Research Council. The report represents the first systematic study of global data on the prevalence of violence against women – both by partners and non-partners. Some 35% of all women will experience either intimate partner or non-partner violence. The study finds that intimate partner violence is the most common type of violence against women, affecting 30% of women worldwide. The study highlights the need for all sectors to engage in eliminating tolerance for violence against women and better support for women who experience it. New WHO guidelines, launched with the report, aim to help countries improve their health sector’s capacity to respond to violence against women.

Human Rights Indicators: A Guide to Measurement and ImplementationEnglish & Spanish:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Indicators/Pages/HRIndicatorsIndex.aspxThe publication aims to assist in developing quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure progress in the implementation of international human rights norms and principles. The Guide describes the conceptual and methodological framework for human rights indicators recommended by international and national human rights mechanisms and used by a growing number of governmental and non-governmental actors. It provides concrete examples of indicators identified for a number of human rights—all originating from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—and other practical tools and illustrations, to support the realization of human rights at all levels. The Guide will be of interest to human rights advocates as well as policymakers, development practitioners, statisticians and others who are working to make human rights a reality for all.

Regional study: management of the external borders of the European Union and its impact on the human rights of migrants (Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, A/HRC/23/46)English, French & Spanish:http://undocs.org/A/HRC/23/46The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, warned on 29 May 2013 that the increasing competence of the European Union in the field of migration has not always been accompanied by a corresponding guarantee of rights for migrants themselves, and in particular irregular migrants. “Within EU institutional and policy structures, migration and border control have been increasingly integrated into security frameworks that emphasize policing, defence and criminality over a rights-based approach,” Mr. Crépeau said during the presentation of his special report* on EU border management to the UN Human Rights Council. Since May 2012, the Special Rapporteur undertook a one-year comprehensive study to examine the rights of migrants in the Euro-Mediterranean region, focusing in particular on the management of the external borders of the European Union. Starting with a visit to the EU authorities in Brussels, Mr. Crépeau also carried out information-gathering missions to two key transit countries, Turkey and Tunisia, and two of the main entry points into the EU, Greece and Italy.Further information:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Migration/SRMigrants/Pages/SRMigrantsIndex.aspx

Humanitarian Affairs

Displacement: The New 21st Century Challenge; UNHCR Global Trends 2012http://unhcr.org/globaltrendsjune2013UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report shows that as of the end of 2012, more than 45.2 million people were in situations of displacement compared to 42.5 million at the end of 2011. This includes 15.4 million refugees, 937,000 asylum seekers, and 28.8 million people forced to flee within the borders of their own countries.

UNOG Library Research Guide: Refugees and Asylum Seekershttp://libraryresources.unog.ch/refugeesTo mark World Refugee Day, 20 June, the UNOG Library has issued a new research guide, drawing your attention to the suffering of so many who are forced to flee their homes. The research guide helps you to find UN documents, statistics, maps, and other sources of information on refugees and the work of the UN in protecting this vulnerable population.

Social Media

The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.